Our Values

In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.

Our Values are:

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

About the team we are recruiting to

Join Coventry City Council’s Legal Services in the Case Management Team and make a real difference for children and families across our city. We are looking for a dedicated Senior Legal Officer to join our friendly, supportive, and collaborative in-house legal service committed to delivering positive outcomes.

Our Case Management Team delivers a comprehensive legal service to Coventry Children’s Services, handling everything from duty advice, private law, and Public Law Outline (PLO) through to judicial reviews and public law proceedings. We work collaboratively across two main areas of focus: pre-court work, which involves early intervention, advice, and PLO, and court work, which includes managing cases and representing the Council in court proceedings.

Coventry has recently been recognised for significant improvements in statutory timescales and outcomes for children, making this an exciting time to join a team that is delivering real impact for families across the city.

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.

What is the job role?

This role predominantly sits within the Court Section of the team where you will support the progression of children’s cases, including the accelerated discharge process to assist with the Council’s reunification project as part of the Coventry’s Family Valued approach. This work is key to safely reunifying children in care with their families. You will also play an important role in supporting lawyers and team leaders to progress cases in court and help manage private law proceedings. The service benefits from its own in-house advocacy team, providing expert guidance and support for hearings.

In this role, you will prepare and draft legal documentation, liaise with social care teams and counsel, and provide essential support for the representation of the Council at court and other forums.

All candidates must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are currently not offering sponsorship for this role.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a candidate with knowledge or experience in children’s legal work, strong drafting skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, client departments, Members, and external partners. You should be customer-focused, with a commitment to service improvement and professional development.

We welcome applications from those with experience in local government, the public sector, or private practice, as well as from candidates who are keen to develop their expertise in children’s law. We offer comprehensive training, support, and career development opportunities.

You must be able to work effectively as part of a team and establish good working relationships with Members, client departments, outside agencies, and partners. Always customer-focused, you will understand the nature of local government in-house legal services and demonstrate a willingness to contribute positively to service development and continuous improvement.

In return, you will join a welcoming and encouraging team, enjoy a hybrid working arrangement (home and office), an excellent holiday package, and the opportunity to accrue additional leave through flexible working, supporting a healthy work-life balance. We are committed to supporting your professional development, helping you build expertise in children’s law and progress within Legal Services.

For an informal discussion, please contact: Nancy Perkins, Case Management Team Leader – 024 7697 7255 nancy.perkins@coventry.gov.uk 

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

For full details on the application process, please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'. If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification that the Council considers to be reasonable.

Interview date: Week commencing 12th January 2026

About Coventry

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.

At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies

Coventry City Council